Interferometric modulator for optical signal processing

ABSTRACT

An interferometric modulator uses a beamsplitter to produce deflected and transmitted light beams onto mirrored surfaces of a piezoelectric crystal pair, one piezoelectric crystal being driven by a modulating voltage signal, whereupon the light beams are reflected back to the beamsplitter to produce a modulated optical output signal, with the modulator being especially adaptable for use as a digital photonic clock, as a pulse width/amplitude modulator, and as a bistable optical memory cell. A self-switching optical digital clock generates a digital signal without piezoelectric crystals by using analog optical feedback signals of precise time durations. Interferometric modulation is also used to amplify a sinusoidal electromagnetic signal, to regulate signal amplification, and to create logic functions.

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 07/780,786 filed Oct. 23, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,370.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computer optical processingcircuits using interferometric techniques, and more specifically, to aninterferometric modulator for optical signal processing. The inventionfurther contemplates an interferometric modulator that is particularlysuitable for use as a digital photonic clock, as a pulse width/amplitudemodulator, and as a bi-stable optical memory cell, as an opticalamplifier, amplitude regulator, and logic circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Efforts are constantly being made to improve the efficiency ofprocessing time in state of the art computers. In the area of opticalcomputing, semiconductor circuitry is operated at optimizedsemiconductor rates, and electronic signals are changed to opticalsignals by the computer's semiconductor micro-circuitry in an effort tospeed up the computer processing time. Still, the computer processingrate could be made faster if electronic signals are independentlyconverted into optical signals using a dedicated electro-mechanicalprocess prior to receipt and/or use of the electronic signal by thecomputer. A high speed optical signal is provided as an input to thecomputer's central processing unit (CPU). The high speed optical signalis used to govern the processing rate within the computer's CPU.

Optics have also been used in measurement circuits. A correctivecircuit, as was applied with some notoriety in connection with theHubbell telescope, used interference optics as a means for finemeasurement of a curved surface. Optical interferometry has also beenused to determine subtle changes in the optical refractive index ofoptically transmissive gases as a measure of pressure or concentration.

While optics have been heretofore used primarily in areas of audiosignal processing, image processing and also in detection andmeasurement circuitry, there has been little application in the use ofoptical processing for signal generation and signal processing beyondthe transformation of an electronic signal in a computer's internalsignal processing circuitry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been developed toprovide circuitry and apparatus for utilizing electronic signals tocreate specialized optical signals by use of an interferometricmodulator. An interferometric modulator uses controlled, dynamicinterferometry and an optical source to create and process opticalsignals. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide aninterferometric modulator for electromagnetic (e.g. optical) signals,which would have applications in computers and other processingnetworks.

A further object of the present invention is to provide aninterferometric optical modulator which can be utilized as a digitalphotonic clock circuit, a pulse width/amplitude modulator circuit, and abi-stable optical-memory cell circuit.

In accomplishing these and other objectives, an interferometricmodulator for optical carrier signals is provided comprising apiezoelectric crystal having a mirrored surface, either polished,applied, or attached, a controlled driving voltage applied to thepiezoelectric crystal, and a light beam deflected by a beamsplitterwhereby at least a portion of the light beam is reflected from and aportion is transmitted by the beamsplitter interface and recombined atthe same interface to produce an output optical signal which isinterference modulated as a function of the controlled driving voltage.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide aself-switching optical digital clock that generates a digital signalusing analog optical feedback signals of precise time durations.

Further objects of the present invention are an optical amplifiercircuit, amplitude regulator and logic circuits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a set of interferometric modulatorsaccording to the invention arranged as a digital photonic clock showingoutside light and voltage sources applied to each interferometricmodulator of the clock for producing an optical signal as an input to acomputer's CPU;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting two sets of interferometric opticalmodulators of the invention each set arranged as a digitalphotonic-clock. Each clock is used as an input/output interface handler(controller) between host computers;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the apparatus of a single interferometricmodulator according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial top view of an arrangement of interferometricmodulators according to the invention utilized as a digital photonicclock;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing theupper and lower beamsplitter arrangement;

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing only thebottom piezoelectric crystal arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a partial top view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing only thearrangement of the upper set of beamsplitters.

FIG. 9 is a depiction of a top view of an arrangement of interferometricmodulators according to the invention used as a pulse width/amplitudemodulator;

FIG. 10 illustrates the phase relationships of signals from each leg ofthe modulator shown in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate possible output signal waveforms when themodulator shown in FIG. 9 is utilized as a pulse width modulator,digital frequency modulator and amplitude modulator, respectively.

FIG. 14 illustrates the optical memory cell embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a first embodiment of the self-switchingoptical digital clock of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of an optical amplitude regulator of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the self-switchingoptical digital clock of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of the form of the signals in the phasemodulated two-stage output of the clock embodiment of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a logic gate embodiment of the presentinvention functioning as a programmable OR/XOR.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of a logic gate embodiment of the presentinvention functioning as a programmable NOR/XNOR.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a set of interferometric modulators 10 arranged asa digital photonic clock is shown connected to a source 12 (e.g. lightsource) that provides an electromagnetic carrier signal on line 13, andto a voltage source 14 that provides an electrical modulator signal online 15. It should be noted that the electromagnetic carrier signal isnot limited to the optical range but may be in the ultraviolet, infraredor any range of oscillating electromagnetic radiation that is suited toa specific application. Light source 12 produces a monochromatic beam oflight, such as from a laser at frequency f_(L). The output from theinterferometric modulator is delivered to a computer 16, and moreparticularly, to an input-output controller or to the CPU of thecomputer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a set of interferometric modulators,arranged as digital photonic clocks, each clock including a light source12 and a voltage source 14, utilized as an interface to a computer in asystem where two host computers 18, 20 are communicating with oneanother. The connections 22, 24 between each digital photonic clock andits respective host computer 18, 20 generally cover a short distancesince the clock would in most instances be attached directly to thestructure, such as to an optical terminal, of the computer'sinput/output controlling processor. Alternately, the digital photonicclock may be internal to the computer but would be independent from thesemiconductor processing circuitry of the computer. The interconnectinglengths between the host computers would typically be of greaterrelative distances with the connections 26 utilizing fiber optics in thepreferred embodiment. It will be appreciated, however, that varioustypes of known transmission mediums could be used in such a system, suchas direct wire, waveguide or microwave links.

One application particularly suitable for the system of FIG. 2 is amobile car telephone used in connection with a satellite communicationsystem where the satellite serves as a repeater in providing service torural areas. Major problems to be overcome in such an application isbackground noise, band width and the volume of traffic on the systemlinks, all of which are a function of the data rate and carrierfrequency. Data accuracy and the number of available channels are alsoproblems that must be overcome in this application. The use of anoptically modulated signal using interferometric techniques, accordingto the invention, is particularly suitable in such a system, asrepresented by the block diagram of FIG. 2, where the host computers areused as communications network controllers.

Turning now to the structural details of a single interferometricoptical modulator, FIG. 3 shows a beamsplitter S29 which receives alight beam 30 from light source 12. Light beam 30 (i.e. optical signal)will have a fundamental frequency as controlled by source 12. Apiezoelectric crystal 32 with a mirrored surface 34 is positioned adistance from and facing one side of beamsplitter S29, shown above thebeamsplitter in the drawing of FIG. 3. A voltage source 14 provides asignal having a given amplitude and frequency, which is applied (on line36) to piezoelectric crystal 32 as the modulating signal. A fixedmirrored surface 38 is positioned a distance from and faces another sideof beamsplitter S29, shown to the right of the beamsplitter in thedrawing of FIG. 3. Alternately, fixed mirrored surface 38 could bereplaced with a piezoelectric crystal 32A with a mirrored surface 34A,connected to a voltage source 14A for producing a signal having apredetermined phase relationship to the signal produced by voltagesource 14.

Light beam 30 impinges on beamsplitter S29, whereupon a portion(approximately half in the preferred embodiments) 40 of light beam 30 isreflected by the beamsplitter and impinges on the mirrored surface 34 ofthe piezoelectric crystal and is reflected back to the beamsplitter. Atransmitted portion (approximately half in the preferred embodiments) 42of light beam 30 is transmitted by the beamsplitter and impinges onmirrored surface 38 and is likewise reflected back to the beamsplitter.The reflected signal portion 40 and transmitted signal portion 42 willhave a respective phase relationship. The optical path length of signal40 will be determined by the distance of between beamsplitter S29 andmirrored surface 34. Similarly, the optical path length of signal 42will be determined by the distance between beamsplitter S29 and mirroredsurface 38 (or 34A). The two signals 40 and 42 return and recombine inbeamsplitter S29 and emerge as output signal 44. The reflected lightbeam 40 is modulated, e.g. along the optical path length axis ofmirrored surface 34, by the motion of mirrored surface 34 and by itsimpingement on the mirrored surface 34. Mirrored surface 34 is beingdriven by a signal provided by voltage source 14. The modulation of thereflected light beam 40 from mirrored surface 34 is a function of theamplitude and frequency of the signal generated by voltage source 14.This modulated optical signal recombined with unmodulated, butreflected, light beam 42 appears at the output of the beamsplitter andas the output of the interferometric modulator. As the piezoelectriccrystal 32 responds to the modulating electrical signal (on line 36)from voltage source 14 the distance between mirrored surface 34 andbeamsplitter S29 varies, as does the optical path length of reflectedsignal portion 40 and the respective phase relationship between signalportions 40 and 42. When these signals recombine at beamsplitter S29,they result in a modulated output signal 44 having a fundamentalfrequency determined by the varying phase relationship between thesignal portions 40 and 42. In an alternate embodiment, utilizingpiezoelectric crystal 32A with mirrored surface 34A and voltage source14A, it is the optical path length of transmitted signal portion 42 thatis varied. Modulating or varying the transmitted signal portion providesan equivalent function to modulating or varying the reflected signalportion in the present invention. Choosing to modulate or vary thereflected or transmitted signal portion, or both, is a matter of designchoice in a given application.

It is understood that conventional voltage source 14 could produce anywave shape, such as a sine wave, a saw-toothed wave, etc. In thatregard, the interferometric modulator is also a signal synthesizer inthat the wave shape of the output signal can be changed and specificallydesigned by changing the waveshape of the signal from voltage signalsource 14. Utilization of a piezoelectric crystal 32A with mirroredsurface 34A rather than a fixed position mirror 38, and a second voltagesource 14A provides even greater flexibility in forming the wave shapeof the output signal.

Building on this interferometric technique for producing a modulatedoptical signal, three particular applications are especially suitablefor its use, namely as a digital photonic clock, as a pulsewidth/amplitude modulator and as a bi-stable memory cell. Thedescription of each application according to the invention is nextseparately presented.

Digital Photonic Clock

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of the present inventionin which an arrangement of interferometric modulators (labelledgenerally as 46) is utilized as a high speed digital photonic clock. Alight source S' producing a monochromatic beam of light, such as from alaser, delivers a light beam along line L1 at an optical frequency f_(L)as an input to the interferometric modulator. The interferometricmodulator comprises, in part, beamsplitters S1, S2, S4 and S5, andreflective mirrors M3, M5 and M6 in the arrangement as shown on the leftside of the structure of FIG. 4. The interconnecting lines representpaths of light between the beamsplitters and the mirrors.

A similar arrangement exists on the right side of the structure of FIG.4 comprising beamsplitters S3, S6 and S7, and reflective mirrors M4, M7and M8. Mirrors M1 and M2 are also positioned as shown, with the arrowedinterconnecting lines again representing the path of light beams betweenthe various elements.

In the center area of FIG. 4 is a rigid structure 48 in the form,primarily, of an inverted T-shape when viewed in the elevational view ofFIG. 5. Structure 48 consists of a T-arm 49 extending vertically uprightand a T-base 50, and additional structure (not shown). The T-shapedstructure will, in practice, comprise the primary rigid mechanicalframework against which the optical components are precision fit andsupported with conventional mechanical spacers, brackets, guides andbinding material. Mounted outward from either side of the rigid T-armare two top sets and two bottom sets of beamsplitters. For illustrationpurposes, only the two bottom sets comprising beamsplitters S8, S9, S10and S11 on the left side, and beamsplitters S12, S13, S14 and S15 on theright side of T-arm 49, are shown in FIG. 4. In reality, the top set ofbeamsplitters is mounted directly above the bottom set shown in FIG. 4.The top set of beamsplitters S16-S23 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 8,discussed hereinafter. In addition, the arrangement includes topbeamsplitters S24 and S25, which are shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, anddiscussed hereinafter. In each of the Figures the blocks depictingcertain beamsplitters (e.g. S8-S15 in FIG. 4) are shaded to distinguishtheir orientation from the beamsplitters that are not shaded (e.g. S2-S7in FIG. 4). Beamsplitters S8-S25 are mounted by means of ancillarymechanical components which extend from, and attach to the rigidmechanical structure 48. For clarity in the drawing, the ancillarymechanical components are not shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the digital photonic clock 46.Beamsplitters S22 and S23 are mounted directly above beamsplitters S11and S15, respectively. Beamsplitters S24 and S25 are above and forward(out of the page as shown in FIG. 5) of beamsplitters S11 and S15,respectively. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of two piezoelectric crystalpairs, with each one of the pairs positioned at a 90° angle to oneanother facing two sides of a beamsplitter. The function of thepiezoelectric crystals can be described with reference to FIG. 5. Forexample, light beam L6 impinging on beamsplitter S11 is split into atransmitted portion L68 which impinges on, and is reflected from,crystal 58, and a reflected portion L69 which impinges on, and isreflected from, crystal 74. Both crystals 58 and 74 are connected to avoltage source, not shown in FIG. 5. The arrangement of piezoelectriccrystals connected to a voltage source is shown in FIG. 3 and isdiscussed in more detail in connection with FIG. 3. The two signalsreflected back from the crystals 58, 74 then recombine in beamsplitterS11 and are output from a fourth side of the beamsplitter, upwardly toimpinge on beamsplitter S22 directly above beamsplitter S11.

The side elevational view of FIG. 6 also shows beamsplitter S22 locateddirectly above beamsplitter S11. The upper set of beamsplitterscomprises beamsplitters S16, S18, S20, S22 and S24 on the left side ofT-arm 49 as shown in FIG. 6, and beamsplitters S17, S19, S21, S23 andS25 (FIG. 8) on the opposite side of T-arm 49. With the exception ofbeamsplitters S24 and S25, each upper beamsplitter receives recombinedlight signals from the respective beamsplitter positioned directly belowit. The light beam signals are reflected and combined by the two topsets of beamsplitters according to the arrowed paths as shown in FIG. 6with respect to elements on one side of T-arm 49. It is understood thata similar operation occurs with respect to the elements on the oppositeside of the T-arm. Intermediate signals from beamsplitters S16, S18,S20, S22 and S24 may be fed back on lines FB1, FB2, FB3, FB4 and SFB1,respectively for analysis and control by a controller (e.g.servo-control C1 in FIG. 4).

FIG. 7 illustrates the position of the piezoelectric crystals mounted onT-base 50, with crystals 68, 70, 72 and 74 on the T-base on the leftside of T-arm 49, and crystals 76, 78, 80 and 82 on the T-base to theright side of T-arm 49. FIG. 8 illustrates the position of the upper setof beamsplitters, which comprises beamsplitters S16-S25. Anotherintermediate feedback signal can also be provided on line SFB2 as shownin FIG. 8. The final optical square wave signal is provided on line S0.This signal may be utilized as a digital photonic clock signal for acomputer CPU, for example. The assembly mounted to structure 48 thuscomprises 16 piezoelectric crystals and 18 beamsplitters in thearrangement as depicted in FIGS. 4-8.

Each beamsplitter S8-S15 has associated with it two piezoelectriccrystals positioned at a 90° angle to one another. FIG. 4 shows eightpiezoelectric crystals attached flush on either side of T-arm 49 ofstructure 48, each facing a respective beamsplitter. With reference toFIG. 4, piezoelectric crystals 52, 54, 56 and 58 are positioned on theleft side of T-arm 49, and piezoelectric crystals 60, 62, 64 and 66 arepositioned on the right. The remaining eight piezoelectric crystals arepositioned directly below each beamsplitter S8-S15 and therefore are notvisible in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 illustrates these remaining crystals 68, 70,72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82. Each piezoelectric crystal has a mirroredfinished surface for reflection of any light beam that impinges on it.Light beams that impinge on each crystal are due to the alignmentbetween a beamsplitter and its respective pair of piezoelectriccrystals, e.g., beamsplitter S8 and piezoelectric crystals 52 and 68,beamsplitter S9 and piezoelectric crystals 54 and 70, etc. Due to spacelimitations in the drawing of FIG. 4, only the light beam line betweenpiezoelectric crystal 58 and beamsplitter S11 is identified by numberL68, although it is understood that the other similar connecting linesare likewise representative of light beams passing between piezoelectriccrystals and their associated beamsplitter. See, for example, FIG. 5which illustrates light beams L68 and L69 between beamsplitter S11 andits respective crystal pair 58 and 74, and light beams L67 and L81between beamsplitter S15 and its respective crystal pair 66 and 82.

Mirrors M1 and M2 provide an optical connecting path for a beam of lightbetween beamsplitter S1 on the left side of FIG. 4 and beamsplitter S3on the right side of FIG. 4.

In operation, a coherent, focused monochromatic beam of light fromsource S' is received by the interferometric modulator as an inputsignal incident on beamsplitter S1. It is understood that beam of lightL1 could also be comprised of several monochromatic beams which arecoherent within each monochromatic beam.

Beamsplitter S1 divides the light beam into two equal, orthogonal beamsL2 and L3, having a phase difference of approximately π, for example,between them upon leaving the transmitting/reflecting interface ofbeamsplitter S1. Light beam L2, as the reflected portion of light beamL1, is reflected by fully reflective mirrors M1 to M2 and then tobeamsplitter S3. The transmitted portion L3 of the light beam frombeamsplitter S1 impinges upon beamsplitter S2.

From this point on, the operation is duplicated on both sides of therigid structure 48. The discussion which follows only describes thesteps which occur with respect to the beamsplitters, mirrors, andpiezoelectric crystals on the left side of T-arm 49, with it beingunderstood that a duplicate operation is also occurring throughout theanalogous components on the right side of T-arm 49.

Light beam L3 is split by beamsplitter S2 with the reflected portionrepresented by light beam L5, which is reflected by mirror M3 andthereafter impinges on beamsplitter S5. The transmitted portion L4 oflight beam L3 impinges on beamsplitter S4.

The precise positioning of mirror M3 is adjustable by means of anopto-electronic monitoring circuit C1 comprising a conventionalelectro-mechanical servo-control. The feedback for this servo-control isprovided by comparing the feedback signals on lines FB1 and FB2 with FB3and FB4 (FIG. 6). By doing so, the phase of the light beam L5 reflectedoff mirror M3 to the transmitted portion of light beam L3, light beamL4, is appropriately matched. Mirrors M5 and M6 can be adjusted bysimilar means. The associated adjustment circuitry, which isconventional, is not shown in FIG. 4. The matching functions for theseadjustments are empirically determined using feedback signals FB1, FB2and FB3, FB4; FB1 and FB2; FB3 and FB4. The physical adjustments aremade by varying the optical path length values between beamsplitter S2and mirror M3, beamsplitter S4 and mirror M5, and beamsplitter S5 andmirror M6, respectively. Similar adjustments may be made to mirror M1 tomatch collective phases of signals on the right half of T-arm 49 tothose on the left side of T-arm 49. Feedback signals SFB1 and SFB2 areused to measure the effectiveness of this adjustment.

The beam of light incident on beamsplitter S5 is split into atransmitted portion L7 and a reflected portion L6. The reflected lightbeam L6 is reflected by mirror M6 and impinges on beamsplitter S11. Thetransmitted portion L7 impinges on beamsplitter S10. A similar operationoccurs with the beam of light L4 incident on beamsplitter S4 where it issplit into a reflective light beam L8 which is reflected by mirror M5and impinges on beamsplitter S8. The transmitted light beam L9 impingeson beamsplitter S9. With a similar and analogous operation havingoccurred throughout the components to the right side of structure 48,beamsplitters S8-S15 each receive a light beam. The orientation ofbeamsplitters S8-S15 is such that a portion of the received light isreflected downward (into the page). A portion of the received light istransmitted to the right of each of beamsplitters S8-S11. A portion ofthe received light is transmitted to the left of each of beamsplittersS12-S15. Both the reflected and transmitted portions of the light beamsfrom each of beamsplitters S8-S15 impinge upon a surface of apiezoelectric crystal. As previously discussed, each of beamsplittersS8-S15 has associated with it a pair of piezoelectric crystals that arepositioned at a 90° angle to one another.

The next process that occurs at each of the beamsplitters S8-S15 isidentical where eight beams of light, whose amplitudes may be adjustedthrough the use of neutral density filters (not shown) in select lightpaths, are received by the eight separate beamsplitters. Therefore onlyoperations involving beamsplitter S11 will be discussed as follows, suchoperations being representative of the action occurring at each of thebeamsplitters S8-S15.

As best shown in FIG. 5, light beam L6, incident on beamsplitter S11, issplit into two paths, one reflected beam L69 goes downward topiezoelectric crystal 74. The transmitted portion of the beam L68impinges on piezoelectric crystal 58. The two light beams frombeamsplitter S11 are each incident on a mirrored surface of the twopiezoelectric crystals 74 and 58 associated with beamsplitter S11.Further, the piezoelectric crystals are oscillating at a specifiedfrequency and amplitude, determined by a control voltage applied to thepiezoelectric crystals (as shown in and discussed with reference to FIG.3). Each pair of crystals, one pair for beamsplitter S8, one pair forbeamsplitter S9, etc., up to beamsplitter S15, oscillate at differentspecified frequencies which are prescribed .harmonics of a fundamentalfrequency. Typically, the fundamental frequency drives one pair ofpiezoelectric crystals, e.g. 74 and 58 for beamsplitter S11.

The phase relationship between the two crystals associated with any oneof the beamsplitters S8-S15 is adjustable, or tunable, to optimize theoutput signal of each component. The two beams of light reflected fromeach of the two piezoelectric crystals associated with beamsplitter S11are recombined at S11 due to their reflection from the mirrored surfaceof the two piezoelectric crystals. The phase, amplitude and frequency ofthe control voltage applied to the piezoelectric crystal, whichdetermines the position and speed of the mirrored surface thereof, areadjusted to produce a sinusoidal optical signal as the output of the tworecombined signals from beamsplitter S11. The amplitude of themechanical motion of the surface of a piezoelectric crystal produces asinusoidal signal with a frequency that is 100 to 1,000 times thefrequency of the signal from the voltage source. In other words, themechanical motion of the mirrored surface of the crystal is determinedby the voltage, and has a distance of movement (amplitude) of 50 to 500times lamda, where lamda is the wavelength of the carrier light sourceS'. The maximum optical path length difference at each beamsplitterinterface is 2 times the mechanical peak-to-peak amplitudes of themirrored surfaces when the optical axis is normal to the mirroredsurface. This produces an output signal from the recombined light beamshaving a frequency f₂ contribution=(100 to 1,000) f_(l) from each arm ofthe interferometric modulator, where f_(l) equals the driving frequency.

Empirically obtained adjustments are made to optimize the clockperformance as a function of the change in path length traversed by thelight as a result of the motion of the mirrored surfaces of thepiezoelectric crystals. That change in path length is equal to twice thepeak to peak difference in the mechanical amplitude of the mirroredsurface along each optical path.

In the preferred embodiment, the control voltage signals applied to thepiezoelectric crystals are sine waves where the phase difference betweencontrol voltages signals on each pair is π/2. For example, the controlvoltage signal applied to crystal 74 will be π/2 out of phase with thecontrol voltage signal applied to crystal 58. However, other signalscould also be used for producing a desired digital or arbitrarily shapedoutput.

The sinusoidal signals that result after reflection from the mirroredsurfaces of the piezoelectric crystals, and as a result of theirrecombination in the respective beamsplitters S8-S15 is called classicalinterferometry. The resulting digital signal output signal occurs asspecific contributions of sinusoidal light signals of specifiedfrequency and amplitude are combined to produce a final output signal.This final output signal is the superposition or combining of each ofthe sinusoidal input signals. If the appropriate values of amplitude,phase and frequency of the driving signals are correctly applied to eachpiezoelectric crystal, then the superposition of the sinusoidal signalswill be a digital signal. The digital clock signal is produced as outputsignal S0 from beamsplitter S25 in FIG. 8. The appropriate amplitude,phase and frequency values of the driving signals must be obtainedempirically. Consider, for example, the superpositioning of the first(e.g. on crystal pair 52/68), third (e.g. on crystal pair 54/70), fifth(etc.), seventh, ninth, eleventh, thirteenth and fifteenth harmonics ofa known fundamental, i.e., the first harmonic sine wave, with theamplitudes of each subharmonics adjusted to optimize the digital output.This optimization can be achieved by adjusting the phase, relativeamplitude and/or frequency of each signal applied to each set ofpiezoelectric crystals that correspond to a particular beamsplitter.This optimization may also be achieved in part by adjusting thethickness (strength) of the neutral density filters used to regulate theamplitude of each light beam. The optimal result is achieved throughempirical tests.

An Optical Pulse Width/Amplitude Modulator

The use of the interferometric modulator of the present inventiontogether with appropriate electro-mechanical servo-controls can beapplied to produce an optical pulse width modulator with a modulatingcapability from a>0% to a<100% duty cycle for a symmetric square waveoptical input with negligible slew loss. Such an optical modulatorincorporates multistage phase inversion and recombination to achieve thedesired results. The structure of the device offers added versatility inthat it may be implemented, not only as a dynamically controlled pulsewidth modulator, but also as a fixed width precision frequency doubler,or as an optical digital signal rectifier.

This application of the present invention comprises a light source S1,used with an arrangement of beamsplitters S28, S30, S32, S34, S36 andS38 in the arrangement as depicted in FIG. 9. The apparatus alsocomprises mirrors M10, M12, M14, M16, M18, M19 and M20 as shown in FIG.9. The arrowed lines between the various components of FIG. 9, startingwith light source S1, represent beams of light passing in the arroweddirections as indicated between the various components of the deviceaccording to the invention.

In operation as a full square wave pulse width/amplitude modulator,light from a single, coherent light source S1 (e.g. optical digitalsignal S0 from beamsplitter S25 in FIG. 8) is incident on beamsplitterS28, where the light beam is separated into two independent pathsindicated by the transmitted light portion L10 and the reflected lightportion L12. Light beam portion L10 is incident upon beamsplitter S30which causes it to split again into two independent halves as indicatedby transmitted light beam portion L14 and reflected light beam portionL16. In a similar manner, light beam L12, which is incident onbeamsplitter S32, is split into the two independent paths of transmittedlight beam portion L20 and reflected light beam L18.

The transmitted light beam portion L14 and reflected light beam portionL16 are each reflected by mirrors M10 and M16, respectively. Mirror M16is one side of a central reflecting mirror mounted on a piezoelectriccrystal 90, which is controlled by voltage source 91. The crystal 90 ismounted on a stationary support which is central to the apparatus shownin FIG. 9. Reflected light beams L22 and L24 are recombined atbeamsplitter S34. The recombination of light beams at S34 represents afirst stage of the modulator and the components S28, S30, M10, M16 andS34 are one leg of this first stage.

The second leg of the first stage involves beamsplitter S32. Transmittedlight beam portion L20 and reflected light beam portion L18 (frombeamsplitter S32) impinge on and are reflected by mirrors M12 and M14,respectively. Reflected light beams L26 and L28 are recombined atbeamsplitter S36 as the second leg of the first stage of the modulator.In either leg of the first stage, output light beams L30 (frombeamsplitter S34) or L32 (from beamsplitter S36) may be a product signalor used as a feedback test point for adjustment and control of themodulator.

It should be noted that mirrors M10 and M12 could each be replaced withfull interferometers illustrated only as I10 and I12 in FIG. 10. Eachinterferometer I10 and I12 would comprise a single beamsplitter and twomirrors on opposing optical paths. If this enhancement were incorporatedfor a specific application, the position of each mirror would becontrolled using a piezoelectric crystal. This enhancement would permitthe independent adjustment of the signal strength/pulse width of asingle leg of either first stage side of the modulator.

As shown in FIG. 9, output light beam L34 is incident on mirrors M18,M19, and M20. Mirror M19 is a two-faced reflector which reflects theincident light along an output path P2 that is parallel to the inputpath P1, the input and output paths being displaced a distance d, asshown in FIG. 9. The position of compound mirror M19 is controlled bypiezoelectric crystal 92, which is mounted to mirror M19 and connectedto a voltage source 94, which generates a signal of given amplitude andfrequency. This configuration permits the independent adjustment of oneleg (e.g. light beam L34) of the second stage of the modulator relativeto the other leg (i.e. light beam L38). Signals L32 and L38 areanalogous to signals L30 and L34, respectively, except for the phasedifference introduced by differing optical path lengths.

A final output signal is available at each of the two faces ofbeamsplitter S38. The form of these output signals L40 and L42 is afunction of the input signals L38 and L34. The relative phase andamplitude of these input signals are adjusted by mirrors M14, M16, M19,and optionally M10 and M12. Each of these mirrors may have theirrelative positions changed by a piezoelectric crystal (e.g. 90 and 92)under control of a voltage source (e.g. 91 and 94). The exact adjustmentof the mirrors to achieve an optimal result is determined empirically,as is conventional. Neutral density filters, not shown, are optional forcalibration.

FIG. 10 illustrates and defines certain relationships which will help todescribe the various functions which the embodiment of FIG. 9 is capableof performing. As mentioned previously, the relative phase and amplitudeof the input signals L34 and L38 will determine the shape of the outputsignals L40 and L42. These input signals will be an optical digitalsignal, as in the form of S1. This digital signal is an envelope for theunderlying carrier signal that is in the form of a sinusoid, such as S'in FIG. 4 and A and B in FIG. 10. The relative phase of the digitalsignal envelope of one input signal to the other and the relative phaseof the carrier signal of one input signal to the other will determinethe shape of the output signals L40 and L42. These phase relationshipsare adjusted by the mirrors of FIG. 9, with specific adjustments toachieve specific phase relationships being determined empirically.Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the phase difference between the digital signalenvelopes of the two input signals L34 of FIG. 9 (e.g. A in FIG. 10),and L38 of FIG. 10 (e.g. B in FIG. 10) is shown as ΔΘ. The phasedifference between the carrier signals of the two input signals L34 andL38 is shown as Δφ FIG. 11 illustrates the summing of two digitalsignals with envelope phase difference of π/4 and carrier signal phasedifference of π/2 to generate a combined signal of approximately equalamplitude as each signal and pulse width increase of 150%.

FIG. 13 illustrates that by changing the phase differences in theenvelope and carrier signals, through adjustment of the mirrors, theembodiment of FIG. 9 can be utilized as a pulse width modulator 13A,frequency doubler 13B, amplitude modulator 13C, and a pulse/phaseinverter 13D. In these figures only the phase shift Δφ in the digitalsignal envelope is depicted, for simplicity. The value of the carrierphase difference ΔΘ is provided. A ΔΘ=π/2 value maintains approximatelyconstant signal strength.

FIG. 11 illustrates the utilization of the apparatus of FIG. 9 as apulse width modulator through adjustment of the mirrors, describedpreviously, so that the phase difference of the envelope is π/2 and thephase difference of the input carrier signals is π/2. For example thewave form A of FIG. 11 is the input signal L38 of FIG. 9 from one leg ofthe first stage of the modulator, wave form B is input signal L34 fromthe other leg, and the wave form resulting from A+B is the output signalL42 or L40 from the second stage beamsplitter (i.e. beamsplitter S38).In this example, the pulse width of the output (PW in FIG. 11) isgreater than (approximately 150%) the pulse width of the input signals.With the configuration of FIG. 9 it is possible to have pulse widthmodulation with a duty cycle from>0 to<1.

FIG. 12 illustrates the utilization of the apparatus of FIG. 9 as adigital frequency modulator. First, it must be assumed that one or bothinput signals L32 and L34 are tuned full wave pulses with approximatelya 100% duty cycle, i.e. in the shape of wave form C in FIG. 12a. Thiswave form could be achieved using either first stage of the apparatus ofFIG. 9 as a pulse width modulator which yields a full wave pulse. Eachfull wave pulse (C in FIG. 12a), e.g. L34 and L38 of FIG. 9, would befed into a second stage modulator which will act as the frequencymodulator. Alternately, one full wave pulse (C in FIG. 12A), e.g. L34 orL38 of FIG. 9, would be combined with a pulse width modulated signal(A+B in FIG. 11), e.g. L38 or L34 of FIG. 9, to be fed into a secondstage modulator which will act as a digital signal frequency modulator.If inputs L32 and L34 are in the shape of wave form C in FIG. 12a and ifpiezoelectric crystal 92 is modulated in a controlled fashion, e.g. suchthat

A₁ sin τ₁ t=A₂ sin (τ₂ t±(2μ+1)π) (minimum interference condition) thesignal amplitude is approximately zero or A₁ sin τ₁ t=A₂ sin (τ₂ t±2π)(maximum interference condition) the signal amplitude is maximized atapproximately A₁ +A₂ where τ₁ and τ₂ are optical carrier frequencies,t=time, A₁ and A₂ are optical carrier amplitudes and μ is an integervalue≧0. If it is assumed that A₁ sin τ, t=A₂ sin (τ₂ t+((2μ+1)/2)π)then, when inputs L32 (e.g. C1) and L34 (e.g. C2) are combined atbeamsplitter S38 the output signal L40 or L42 will be in the wave formof FIG. 12a, labelled C1+C2. If a second modulating signal (also adigital signal) is introduced, such that a phase difference of φ or((2μ+1)/2)π is added to A₂ sin (τ₂ t+((2μ+1)/2)π) such that A₁ sin τ₁t=A₂ sin (τ₂ t+((2μ+1)/2)π+γ((2μ+1)/2)π) where γ is the envelopefrequency of the modulating digital signal, then a frequency modulateddigital signal such as shown in FIG. 12b is possible, and the frequencymodulation will be a function of A₁, A₂, τ₁, τ₂, and t.

FIG. 13 illustrates the utilization of the apparatus of FIG. 9 as anamplitude modulator. In this application the phase shift of the envelopewill be near zero and remain effectively constant. The phase shift ofthe carrier will be variable. Thus when the input signals L38 (e.g. A inFIG. 13) and L34 (e.g. B in FIG. 13) may be combined to yield aresultant signal which is a multiplexed or a frequency modulated digitalsignal (C2 in FIG. 13). A phase/amplitude modulated signal (FIG. 13, C1)is also possible.

Various other applications of the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9will occur to those having skill in the art. For example, pulse widthmodulation of the input signal S1 is provided when the signals L32 andL34 are digital waveform signals and the piezoelectric crystal 92 ismodulated in a controlled fashion such that the carrier signal phasedifference is maintained at approximately π/2 for each stable state timeduration of the modulating signal and the phase difference in thedigital waveform phase difference varies between 0 and 2π. Amplitudemodulation is provided when the phase difference in the digitalwaveforms is zero and the carrier signals phase difference is variablebetween 0 and 2π. A precision frequency doubler is provided when thephase difference in the digital waveforms is π/2 and the carrier signalsphase difference is π. A precision frequency doubler can function as aprecision frequency quadrupler by introducing a phase difference in theprimary (e.g. L28, L22) and secondary (e.g. L26, L24) signals such thatthe digital waveformphase difference is π/2 and the carrier signal phasedifference is π at each leg of the first stage and at the second stagesimultaneously.

An Optical Memory Cell

A further embodiment of the present invention utilizes the basicinterferometric modulator principles of the present invention, describedpreviously, to provide a bi-stable interferometric cell that functionsas an optical memory. FIG. 14 illustrates this embodiment, whichutilizes a conventional programmable controller 102. Controller 102 isprogrammed in a conventional manner to interpret signals on input line104, which may be a multi-conductor wire or a multi-conducting fiberoptic cable for receiving inputs from optical sensors (e.g. photosensors) OS3-OS8.

The following state table for FIG. 14 shows an example processinterpretation for controller 102 based upon the binary state of opticalsensor inputs OS3-OS8.

    __________________________________________________________________________    STATE TABLE                                                                   CONTROLLER       MEMORY                                                       INPUTS OS-       CONTENTS                                                                             DESCRIPTION                                           STATES                                                                             3 4 5 6 7 8 OS2    OPERATION                                             __________________________________________________________________________     1   0 0 0 0 1 1 --     N/A                                                    2   0 0 0 1 1 1 --     N/A (STATE NOT ATTAINABLE/OS4 FAILURE)                 3   0 0 1 0 1 1 --     N/A (STATE NOT ATTAINABLE/OS4 FAILURE)                 4   0 0 1 1 1 1 --     TBD (e.g. WAIT STATE)                                  5   0 1 0 0 1 1 --     TBD (e.g. FAULT, OS3 FAILURE, CLOCK NOT IN SYNC)       6   0 1 0 1 1 1 0,1    READ MEMORY CONTENT                                    7   0 1 1 0 1 1 0      WRITE 0 TO MEMORY                                      8   0 1 1 1 1 1 --     FAULT READ/WRITE ERROR                                 9   1 0 0 0 1 1 --     TBD (e.g. FAULT, OS4 FAILURE)                         10   1 0 0 1 1 1 --     TBD (e.g. FAULT, READ/DATA SYNC ERROR)                11   1 0 1 0 1 1 --     TBD (e.g. FAULT, WRITE/DATA SYNC ERROR)               12   1 0 1 1 1 1 --     TBD (e.g. FAULT, READ/WRITE ERROR, SYNC ERROR)        13   1 1 0 0 1 1 0,1    LOGIC PROCESS, CONDITIONAL DATA PASS                  14   1 1 0 1 1 1 0,1    LOGIC PROCESS, READ MEMORY AND DATA PRESENT           15   1 1 1 0 1 1 1      WRITE 1 TO MEMORY                                     16   1 1 1 1 1 1 --     READ/WRITE ERROR INPUT DATA LOST                      17   X X X X 1 0 FAULT, LOCAL CLOCK INTERFACE FAILURE, WRITE SIDE             18   X X X X 0 1 FAULT, LOCAL CLOCK INTERFACE FAILURE, READ SIDE              19   X X X X 0 0 FAULT, CLOCK FAILURE, CLOCK/SYNC FAILURE                     __________________________________________________________________________     N/A  NOT APPLICABLE                                                           -- INDETERMINATE                                                              TBD  TO BE DETERMINED                                                    

The controller 102 generates an output signal, e.g. either electrical(i.e. a voltage level) or optical (i.e. an intensity level) on line 106.The signal on line 106, the level of which is controlled by controller102, is applied to piezoelectric crystal 100, which responds byexpanding or contracting in the dimension normal to the mirrored surfaceM44. In the case of an optical input signal, the piezoelectric crystalmust also be made photosensitive either through attachment of a CCD,photovoltaic cell, or by doping the piezoelectric ceramic directly. Thischange in position of the mirrored surface M44 causes a change in theoptical path length from mirrored surface M44 to the beam splittinginterface of beamsplitter S64. When the apparatus of FIG. 14 is utilizedas an optical memory, beamsplitter S64 functions as the "storage cell"with its contents being detected by optical sensor OS2 (e.g. photosensor), which can be connected to a control or input/output device (notshown) by line LN2.

In the state table for FIG. 14, the contents of the memory or storagecell as indicated by OS2 with 0 indicating no light signal detection and1 indicating light signal detection. The contents of the memory cell isdetermined by controller 102 which processes inputs from optical sensorsOS3-OS8 and applies a signal on line 106 to change the optical pathlength as a pre-programmed response to inputs from optical sensorsOS3-OS8 and thereby determine if light is (1) or is not (0) detected byoptical sensor OS2. The state table of FIG. 14 indicates a preferredinterpretation of the process which could be implemented in an opticalmemory according to the apparatus of FIG. 14. Controller 102 could beprogrammed using conventional and straightforward techniques to provideother processing results. Using six controller inputs, OS3-OS8, 64states are possible. It should be noted that although the state tableshows only 19 states, states 17, 18, and 19 may be expanded into furtherstates to cover specific values of x for signal lines OS3-OS6. States17-19 are required to handle ambiguities in the clock signal since thissignal, in the design of the present invention, should interferedestructively on recombination at the beamsplitting interface of S60.

The operation of the apparatus of FIG. 14, in accordance with thepreferred process interpretation of the state table above, will now bediscussed. The input signal on line C is an optical CLOCK signalproduced by a digital photonic clock such as the digital photonic clockof the present invention, as previously described. The input READ andWRITE signals on line R and W respectively are also digitized opticalsignals. In accordance with the preferred state table of FIG. 14, aWRITE signal impinges on beamsplitter S54, and a CLOCK signal (in phasewith the WRITE signal) is received on line C and travels along fiberoptic 108 and is split and reflected by mirrored surface M34. TheseWRITE and CLOCK signals combine at the beamsplitting interface ofbeamsplitter S56.

The WRITE signal is detected by optical sensor OS5, which is connectedto controller 102 by lines LN5 and 104. A portion of the WRITE signal isreflected by the beamsplitting interface of beamsplitter S54 and isdetected by OS5, and a portion of the WRITE signal is transmitted tobeamsplitter S56. A portion of the CLOCK signal is reflected bybeamsplitter S56 and again by beamsplitter S54. This reflected portionof the clock signal is detected by optical sensor OS8 and is used infault detection processing. The transmitted portion of the CLOCK signalfrom beamsplitter S56 is reflected by static mirror M38 and is thenreflected again by beamsplitter S56. Mirror M38 is static for purposesof digital signal processing. However, it is contemplated that mirrorsM30, M32, M36, and M38 would be movable for the purposes of bothoff-line calibration and dynamic calibration as an overhead process.This movement may be accomplished by attached piezoelectric crystals.The calibration methods and specific apparatus used will be a functionof the specific application. The portion of the CLOCK signal reflectedby M38 and subsequently by S56 combines in phase with the transmittedportion of the WRITE signal. The superposition of these signals isreflected by mirror M36 and then by multifaceted mirror M34. This signalis combined with the portion of the CLOCK signal that is transmitted bybeamsplitter S52, reflected by static mirror M30, reflected again bybeamsplitter S52, and then by mirror M32, and finally by one of thesurfaces of mirror M34.

Due to the phase relationship of the CLOCK signal and WRITE signal, thetwo CLOCK signal portions that are recombined and transmitted throughoptical fiber (or waveguide) 110 and the WRITE signal interfere witheach other such that only the WRITE signal remains to impinge upon theinterface of beamsplitter S60. In the apparatus of FIG. 14, the CLOCKsignal acts as a synchronizing signal for the control signal (WRITE) andthe data signal to be discussed hereinafter. As discussed, thesynchronizing signal (CLOCK) is effectively removed, thus preserving theintegrity of the control (WRITE) signal and data signal. The phase ofthe CLOCK and WRITE signals are maintained by dynamic calibration ofmirrors M30, M32, M36, and M38 in response to the optical sensor signalsfrom OS5, OS6, OS7, and OS8 (see state table of FIG. 14).

The DATA signal on line D is gated into the apparatus of FIG. 14 usingthe same CLOCK signal. For simplicity, the apparatus for gating the DATAsignal, which is identical to the apparatus for gating the WRITE signal,is not illustrated in FIG. 14. A portion of the DATA signal that isclocked in is reflected by beamsplitter S58 and detected by opticalsensor OS3, which is connected to controller 102 by lines LN3 and 104.The transmitted portion of the DATA signal is combined with the WRITEsignal at the interface of beamsplitter S60. These signals interfereconstructively, at the beamsplitting interface of beamsplitter S60.Beamsplitter S60, oriented as shown relative to beamsplitters S58 andS62, provides an optical isolation stage. This preferred orientationisolates the control signals from the data signals in this preferredarrangement. Note that the relative orientations of beamsplitter pairsS50, S52 and S54, S56 also provide optical signal isolation. Theresultant signal is reflected and transmitted by beamsplitter S62. Thereflected portion is detected by optical sensor OS4, which is connectedto controller 102 by lines LN3 and 104. The transmitted portion isincident on beamsplitter S64. Optical sensor OS1 is provided foroptional control and/or feedback and could be connected to a controlleror input/output device (not shown) via line LN1.

As mentioned previously, beamsplitter S64 functions as the storage cellof this optical memory device. In accordance with the state table ofFIG. 14, controller 102 is programmed so that if states 7 or 15 occur,the value detected by optical sensor OS3 (i.e. 0=no light detected,1=light detected) will be "written" to memory by the controller 102 byadjusting the signal on line 106 to piezoelectric crystal 100 until thevalues detected by optical sensors OS3 and OS2 match. The output signalfrom controller 102 is maintained to store the value written to thememory cell.

A READ operation in the device of FIG. 14 is very similar to the WRITEoperation, previously described. A READ signal incoming on line R ishandled by system elements, analogous to the WRITE signal. BeamsplittersS50 and S52 perform the same function for the READ signal as do thebeamsplitters S54 and S56, respectively, for the WRITE signal. Similarlymirrors M30 and M32 perform analogous functions to mirrors M38 and M36,respectively. The incoming READ signal is detected by optical sensorOS6, which is connected to controller 102 by lines LN6 and 104. Asdiscussed with reference to the WRITE operation, in a READ operation,the CLOCK signal, having been split and reflected, recombinesdestructively so that only the READ signal impinges on beamsplitter S60.

The relationship of the READ and WRITE signals will depend on theparticular application in which the apparatus of FIG. 14 is used. TheREAD and WRITE signals may be generated independently of each other ormay be controlled so that when input to beamsplitters S50 and S54,respectively, they interfere constructively or destructively. They mayalso be controlled to be out of phase by a specified value which wouldbe empirically determined as a function of the specific application.

In the preferred embodiment, it is assumed that the READ and WRITEsignals will combine out of phase to the extent that when thesuperposition of the READ and WRITE signals is combined with an incomingDATA signal, the READ and WRITE signals interfere destructively. Even ina READ operation, a DATA signal may be input on line D and detected byoptical sensor OS3. This capability supports an "if data found" logicoperation, an operation in which the signal on the data line is filteredby the memory state. The result is output directly for this state (14 instate table) at RO. A passive form of an "if data found" logic operationis also supported (see state 13 in state table). Passive refers to thecondition in which no READ command is present, but data is filtered bythe unchanged memory state as determined by the position of M44. Againutilization of the apparatus of FIG. 14 will depend on the specificapplication. In the "if data found" application, the READ signal mustinterfere constructively with the DATA signal. When the READ and DATAsignals interfere constructively at the interface of beamsplitter S60,the resulting signal is reflected and transmitted by beamsplitter S62.The transmitted portion is incident on beamsplitter S64, and thereflected portion is detected by optical sensor OS4.

During the READ operation, the resultant output signal, available online RO and detected by sensor OS2, is a function of the position ofmirrored surface M44. If the mirrored surface M44 is positioned forconstructive interference at the optical combining interface ofbeamsplitter S64 (i.e. by a previous write operation that wrote a "1" tomemory), then the READ signal becomes the output (on line RO) of memory.The read access time is limited only by the optical clock rate. If themirrored surface M44 is positioned for destructive interference at theoptical combining interface of beamsplitter S64 (i.e. by a previouswrite operation that wrote a "0" to memory), then a null (0) signal ispresent on line RO and detected by optical sensor OS2, independent ofthe READ signal. In this instance the READ operation will yield a null,or binary 0, result. With reference to the state table of FIG. 14, theresults of read operations are indicated by states 6 or 14.

The apparatus of FIG. 14 can be used in a wide variety of applications.For example, referring to the state table of FIG. 14, state 13 is aspecial case where data is present but neither a READ or WRITE signal ispresent. In this instance, the memory cell can be used as a logical"go/no go" data pass-through filter. The memory acts as a passive "ifdata present" logical element where data is passed through only if thememory has a "1" stored when the data signal is incident on beamsplitterS58.

Various modifications and variations will occur to those skilled in theart to which this invention pertains. For example, the interferometryarchitecture described herein may be modified according to theindividual needs of the system being designed. The system could beconstructed using various numbers of beamsplitters and mirrored surfacesbased upon the general principles as set forth herein. To illustrate,rather than having two sets of four beamsplitters attached to thecentral solid web (FIGS. 4 through 8), and the pair of mirrored surfacesassociated with each beamsplitter in one of the sets containing fourbeamsplitters, there could be many more sets in the arrangement, andeach set could comprise more or less than the four beamsplitterspresented herein in the preferred embodiment.

Self-switching Optical Digital Clock

There may be certain limitations for implementing an optical digitalclock using piezoelectric crystals to generate a synthesized digitalsignal. In particular, the effective operating range for digital signalfrequencies above 100 GHz may be limited. This device has an advantagehowever, as previously discussed, in its capability to generate morecomplex digital signals and analog waveforms within its effectiveoperating range.

A less sophisticated device may be adequate in many applications. Theself-switching optical digital clock embodiment of the present inventionwould satisfy the requirements of such applications. This devicegenerates a digital signal using analog optical feedback signals ofprecise time durations. The time durations are created by precise,passive time delay feedback circuits and interferometry.

Discussion of the self-switching digital optical clock will be presentedin three main parts. The first part will deal with the interactions ofthe light paths along leg one of the optical digital clock. Referring toFIG. 15, leg one is defined (arbitrarily) to be the physical distancefrom the center of beamsplitter S72 to the compound mirror CM1. Part 2of the discussion will focus on leg two of the digital optical clock.Leg two is defined to be the distance from the center of beamsplitterS74 to the compound mirror CM2. The final part will present the opticalinteraction and required phase relationships at one-way mirror OM1 whichyield the digital output signal S0.

Referring to FIG. 15, input light beam L50 from source Si is incident onthe input face of beamsplitter S70. Light source Si produces amonochromatic beam of light, such as from a laser, at an opticalfrequency Fi to the digital optical clock. Input light beam L50 isreflected and transmitted and is thereby split into two portions L52 andL51. Portion L52 is the transmitted beam and portion L51 is thereflected beam. Note that beamsplitter S71, placed in the path of lightbeam L52, functions to halve the amplitude of the transmitted beam frombeamsplitter S70. Half of the output of S71 is discarded. Either thetransmitted or the reflected portion may be selected as input to S72.The embodiment shown in FIG. 15 uses the transmitted portion. Light beamL52 is incident on a second beamsplitter S72 where it is split into twobeam portions L54 and L56. Light beam L54 is transmitted by beamsplitterS72 and light beam L56 is reflected by beamsplitter S72. Light beam L56is incident on the transmitting face F1 of a one-way output mirror OM1.The interaction of L56 and L64 resulting in the light beam L59, at theone-way mirror OM1 will be discussed hereinafter in relation to thefinal output stage of the digital clock.

Light beam L54 is transmitted by beamsplitter S72 and is incident oncompound mirror CM1. In a preferred embodiment, CM1 is arranged as twoflat orthogonal planes. However, the internal angle "a" will be selectedempirically to cause the light beam L54 to be reflected back on a pathP12 parallel to the exit path P10 of light beam L54 from beamsplitterS72 a distance d₁ away from such exit path. Other devices can beselected to achieve the purpose of CM1; for example, a parabolic mirrorof correct excentricity or a concave spherical reflector of the correctradius. Reflected light beam L57 is incident on the reflecting surfaceF3 of one-way mirror OM2. The light signal L57 is amplified by opticalsignal amplifier A1 to approximately twice its exit amplitude frombeamsplitter S72. Details of the optical signal amplifier are includedhereinafter with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 18. It will beapparent to those familiar with the art that an infinite number ofcombinations of amplitude reductions/amplifications may be selected toyield these results. The amplitude reduction selected will determine theamplification required and conversely the amplification available willdetermine the amount of amplitude reduction required. The specificembodiment set forth in this specification does not imply a limitationon these values. The signals L52 upon entering beamsplitter S72 and L51upon entering beamsplitter S74 are in phase but the relative amplitudesof L51 to L52 are proportionally 2:1. This amplitude ratio is anapproximation and must be adjusted slightly to accommodate losses due tovariations in reflectivity and transmissivity throughout the system. Therelative amplitudes may be adjusted when the system is initially set upby using various filters, or they may be adjusted dynamically by usingoptical interference regulators OAR1 and OAR2. Optical interferenceregulators OAR1 and OAR2 will be discussed in greater detailhereinafter.

The fixture FX1 for OM2 is adjustable to allow OM2 to be repositionedfor both alignment of light beam L58 with light beam L57 and for phaseadjustment of resultant light beam L60, which is the combination oflight signals L57 and L58. The combined light beam L60 (reflectedcomponent, L57, and transmitted component, L58) is reflected by one-waymirror OM2, and is incident on beamsplitter S72. Light beam L60 combineswith light beam L52 at the beamsplitting interface of S72 with a phasedifference of approximately 180 degrees. The resulting interferencecauses the phase of light signals L54 and L56 to shift by 180 degrees.Under ideal conditions, such phase shift of 180 degrees, due tointerference with light beam L60, will be smooth and sudden. Light beamL60 is the resultant signal of the combination of L57 and L58. Lightbeams L57 and L58 combine in phase arriving at the same instant at theoptical interface of OM2. Let the optical path length of Leg1=OPL1 andlet the optical path length of Leg2=OPL2. Ideally, OPL1=OPL2+nλ wheren=-1,0,1. Integer values of |n|>1 may introduce additional signaldistortion; however, integer values of n should still provide sufficientsignal strength by constructive interference to generate the primaryclock pulse at L56. Unbalanced optical path lengths OPL1 and OPL2, thatis, non-integer values of n will lead to initial duty cycles of lessthan 50% as well as potentially less ON--OFF contrast due to distortioncaused by interfering wavefronts with wavefronts of different timefunctions. It is anticipated that such temporal distortion will bemeasurable, but not damaging to the clock signal.

Referring back now to beamsplitter S70, input light beam L50 is split bybeamsplitter S70 into transmitted portion L52 and reflected portion L51as previously discussed. Reflected portion L51 is incident on the faceof beamsplitter S74 and split into two light beams L62 and L64. Theamplitude of L51 is twice that of L52. Note that beamsplitter S75,placed in the path of light beam L64, functions to halve the amplitudeof the reflected beam from beamsplitter S74. As discussed earlier, inthe case of S71, half of the light from beamsplitter S75 may bediscarded. Light beam L64 is incident on mirrors M50 and M52, andultimately is incident on the reflecting face F2 of one-way mirror OM1,the function of which will be discussed hereinafter.

Light beam L62 is transmitted by beamsplitter S74 and is incident oncompound mirror CM2. CM2 is arranged as CM1, with two flat planesmounted at approximately 90 degrees to each other. Again, a parabolicmirror of correct excentricity or a concave spherical reflector of thecorrect radius are two examples of other configurations which could alsobe used for this purpose. A compound planar mirror is chosen to minimizeboth the number of reflections and non-linear distortion of thereflected signal. The return path P16 is parallel to path P14 andseparated a distance d₂. The reflected light beam L58 is incident on thetransmitting face F4 of one-way mirror OM2, combining with the reflectedlight beam L57 at the optical surface of OM2. Light beams L57 and L58are combined in phase by constructive interference to yield a light beamwith an amplitude approximately the sum of the amplitudes of L57 andL58. When the amplitude of L57 equals the amplitude of L58, then theresulting amplitude of L60 is approximately double that of either L57 orL58 alone. This resultant light beam L60 is now of sufficient amplitudeto invert the phase of light beam L52 completely, under idealconditions. Light beam L64 is a constant balancing or biasing carriersignal which when combined with light beam L56 produces totalcancellation at one phase of light beam L56 and complete constructiveinterference at the alternate phase of L56. The phase of L56 can beexpressed as: PL56=A(sin(2πγ+φ)+cos (2πγ+φ)). The alternate phase of L56can be expressed as PL56'=A(sin(2πγ+φ+180)+cos(2πγ+φ+180)) where γ isthe frequency of the source and φ is a constant phase angle of arbitraryvalue. The phase of L56 alternates between PL56 and PL56' once each timethe light signal traverses each leg of the digital clock of FIG. 15.Biasing signal L64 is of constant phase and is adjusted to combinedestructively with L56 when it is PL56 and constructively with L56 whenit is PL56'. This signal may also be adjusted such that L64 combinesconstructively with L56 when it is PL56 and destructively with L56 whenit is PL56'. This change will cause a phase shift of π in both thecarrier signal and the digital pulse.

The following table shows an example of the amplitude A of each signalfor each subsequent traversal by the light signal of each leg of theclock. The negative sign (-) indicates a phase difference of 180degrees.

    __________________________________________________________________________    L52 L51                                                                              L54   L56  L57  L64 L58 L60                                                                              L59                                         __________________________________________________________________________    A   2A A/2   A/2  A    -A/2                                                                              A   -2A                                                                              0                                           A   2A -A/2  -A/2 -A   -A/2                                                                              A   0  -A                                          A   2A A/2   A/2  A    -A/2                                                                              A   -2A                                                                              0                                           A   2A -A/2  -A/2 -A   -A/2                                                                              A   0  -A                                          A   2A A/2   A/2  A    -A/2                                                                              A   -2A                                                                              0                                           A   2A -A/2  -A/2 -A   -A/2                                                                              A   0  -A                                          A   2A A/2   A/2  A    -A/2                                                                              A   -2A                                                                              0                                           .   .  .     .    .    .   .   .  .                                           .   .  .     .    .    .   .   .  .                                           .   .  .     .    .    .   .   .  .                                           __________________________________________________________________________

The lengths of the optical path of light beams L54 plus L57 and of theoptical path of light beams L62 plus L58 will determine the fundamentaldigital frequency of the digital optical clock signal S0. Thefundamental frequency of the clock is equal to the reciprocal of thetime T required for the leading edge of either light beam L54 or L62 toleave its respective beamsplitter S72 or S74 and return to interfere atbeamsplitter S72. This assumes that the optical path length differencebetween leg 1 and leg 2 of the optical digital clock is zero. Each newrow in the above table further assumes one cycle from S72 to S72 hasbeen completed.

A non-zero path length difference between leg 1 and leg 2 of this devicewill result in a transient third brightness state between each digitallevel, analogous to the slew in conventional digital clock signals. Thisis a transient effect that is seen each time the clock is initialized.This effect should be negligible after 100 clock cycles.

The in-line optical amplitude regulators OAR1 and OAR2 (FIG. 15) areMichelson Interferometers arranged to produce the equivalent of anoptical resistance in the circuit. That is, an interferometer employedin this fashion in a photonics circuit is analogous to a variableresistor in an electrical circuit. FIG. 16 shows an exemplary opticalamplitude regulator. By controlling the position of mirrors Ma and Mbusing piezoelectric crystals Pa and Pb (connected to suitable controlsignal sources, not shown) the optical impedance can be adjusted fromzero to infinite. The result is an infinite range optical potentiometerfor photonics applications.

The in-line optical amplitude regulator has the additional benefit offinal phase regulation for all optical impedance values. This isachieved by adjusting the position of Ma relative tomb to achieve therequired amplitude, and then by moving both mirrors Ma and Mb an equaldistance away from beamsplitter Sx to retard the phase or by moving themirrors Ma and Mb an equal distance toward beamsplitter Sx to advancethe phase. The in-line optical amplitude regulator can be used as anoutput phase matching regulator as well as a signal amplitude regulator.Both of these functions may be achieved either through manualobservation and control, or through a feedback circuit to a controllerdesigned or programmed for this purpose.

At any point or optical interface in this device fringes result from thesubtle variations in path length across the optical signal, i.e. pathlength variations resulting from the finite transverse dimension of theoptical signal. This dimension is large when compared with thewavelength of the optical signal resulting in the appearance of fringes.The fringes are removed through the use of a spatial filter mask ofconstant pitch. This mask is designed to pass an image of a givenspatial frequency which allows only the bright fringes of the expectedspatial frequency to pass. The image which is passed by the mask isfocussed and recolumnated using standard laser optics. C₁ and C₂ (FIG.15) are examples of the mask and recolumnating optics.

An alternate embodiment of the self-switching optical digital clock ofthe present invention is shown in FIG. 17. The fundamental processesused in the embodiment of FIG. 15 and the embodiment of FIG. 17 are thesame, i.e. the physics of interferometry are used to produce the digital(square-wave) signal. An amplifier, which was disclosed only generallyas A1 in the embodiment of FIG. 15, is utilized and disclosed in greaterdetail in the embodiment of FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the Self-Switching Optical Digital Clock iscomposed of four basic building blocks, the phase modulatedSelf-Switching Digital Clock circuit, (designated in brackets as 122),the Optical Switching Amplifier circuit, (designated in brackets as124), Pulse Width Modulator-Digital Frequency Doubler circuit(designated in brackets as 123) and the Phase Modulated OpticalAmplitude Regulator (designated in brackets as 120).

Input signals Si and Sj are constant coherent light sources of the samefundamental optical carrier frequency. This is required because thesesignals must be able to interfere destructively to create the desiredoutput signal. Sj may be generated by a second laser LS, or by analternative means, by dividing off a portion of Si using a beamsplitternot shown in FIG. 17. If Sj is divided off Si then Si would have to beattenuated again by approximately a factor of 2 to arrive at theappropriate amplitude prior to recombination. This approach requires thenecessary optical elements to route the light divided off Si to theinput location for Sj. This alternative approach is included to providea design with a single light source.

Referring again to FIG. 17, the input signal Si is transmitted byone-way mirror OM3, and condensed by the laser condensing optics LCO1.The condensed signal is L70. Signal L70 is reflected by mirrors M54 andM56 which are arranged on a solid structure orthogonal to each other ifthe planes of the mirrors were extended to intersection. The structureon which mirrors M54 and M56 are mounted is attached to a piezoelectriccrystal P1 which controls the positions of mirrors M54 and M56. Therange of optical path lengths created by moving M54 and M56 togetherdetermines range of the digital pulse duration available to the clock.

L70 is incident on the surface of OP1, an optically sensitivepiezoelectric crystal. OP1 is a piezoelectric crystal which is alsodoped with, or attached to a fast photo-voltaic material designed togenerate a voltage drop across the piezoelectric crystal. This voltagemoves attached mirror M100 a distance commensurate with the intensity ofsignal L70.

Optical Switching Amplifier (OSA) 124 is composed of a laser lightsource LS, and a photo sensitive optical amplitude regulator. In thisapplication the optical amplitude regulator is operating as a switchingtransistor. When the optical signal L70 is present or maximum intensity,mirror M100 is positioned to cause L72 to be a maximum output. When theoptical signal L70 goes to zero, mirror M100 is positioned to cause Sjto interfere destructively with itself at beamsplitter S76 and theoutput L72 is zero. Piezoelectric crystal P2 controls the position ofmirror M102 to calibrate this signal. The calibration signal is providedby a conventional controller, not shown in FIG. 17.

OSA 124 is tuned empirically such that when signal L70 is a maximum,mirror M100 is in the position to cause Sj to interfere constructivelywith itself generating a signal that is greater than two times thesignal Si. Input signal Sj is a constant, coherent light source withgreater than twice the amplitude of Si. Signal Sj is independent of L70.L72 is a maximum when L70 is a maximum. The degree of movement of mirrorM100 will be a function of the amplitude of signal L70. This means thatthe degree of constructive or destructive interference, and thereforethe amplitude of signal L72, will be proportional to the amplitude ofsignal L70 when the distance `d` of mirror M100 movement isφ≦d≦±|/±λ/2|. L72 is incident on beamsplitter S78. L72 is split into twoparts by beamsplitter S78, a transmitted part L74 and a reflected partL76. Signal L74 is incident on beamsplitter S80 and is subsequentlysplit into a transmitted and a reflected portion. The positions ofmirrors M104 and M106 are controlled by piezoelectric crystals P3 andP4. The mirrors M104 and M106 are positioned to cause the output signalL78 to cancel the input signal Si through destructive interference, i.e.L78 will be the same amplitude as Si but 180° out of phase.

When the last wavelength of light signal L70 is incident on OP1, themirror M100 begins to be repositioned to cause the signal Sj tointerfere destructively with itself. When signal L72 goes to zero, thisabsence of light is propagated to L78. When L78 goes to zero, there isno longer any interference with input signal Si, and signal L70 returnsto maximum amplitude. This cycle is perpetual as long as the signals Siand Sj remain constant.

Signal L76 is the output signal. L76 is incident on beamsplitter S82 andis subsequently split into a transmitted portion and a reflectedportion. The transmitted portion, L80, is incident on and reflected bymirror M108. Signal L80 is incident on a pulse width modulator circuit,PWM1. This circuit changes the duty cycle of the digital signal L80(duty cycle=50%) to a 25% duty cycle signal L82, seen in FIG. 18. SignalL82 is then reflected by mirror M110 to one-way mirror OM4. Thereflected portion of L76, L84 is incident on and transmitted by one-waymirror OM4. Signal L82 is reflected by one-way mirror OM4 and signalsL84 and L82 are combined at the interface of one-way mirror OM4 toproduce L86, see FIG. 18. The structure on which mirrors M108 and M110are mounted can be moved to change the optical path length traversed bysignal L82. The adjustment creates the necessary time delay between L84and L82 of approximately λ/4 of the digital pulse to create the signalL86.

Signal L86 is incident on beamsplitter S84 and subsequently split into areflected portion, L88 and a transmitted portion, L90. Signals L88 andL90 are half the amplitude of signal L86. Signal L88 is delayed in timeλ/2 of the digital signal L86. A similar arrangement of planar mirrors(M112 and M114) is used to reflect signal L88 back to one-way mirror OM5where L90 and L88 are recombined to create signal L92, see FIG. 18.Signal L92 is the final output signal of the self-switching opticaldigital clock. Note that in FIG. 18, the amplitudes of signals L90, L88and L92 are approximately half the amplitude of signal L84.

The advent of an optical digital clock of the present invention, eitheractive or self-switching suggests the need for an optical processor.Conventional digital processors are an integration of logic gates andtransistors designed to combine fundamental input signals in asystematic manner to achieve high speed computational or boolean(logical) results. A programmable optical logic gate will be an integralpart of such an optical processor. The advantages of a programmableoptical logic gate are its speed, flexibility, and near zero sensitivityto noise. The programmable logic gate possesses six independentlyprogrammable and addressable logic functions. These logic functions areAND, OR, XOR (exclusive OR), NAND (negated AND), NOR, and XNOR. Theprogrammable optical logic gate also provides the option of negating asingle input, or both inputs to any of the above logic functions, thatis to perform the function of a logical inverter in series with eitheror both inputs.

Referring now to FIG. 19, there is illustrated a programmable OR/XORGate. Two coherent optical signals labelled S₁ and S₂ are shown asinputs to the programmable OR/XOR gate. Assume that these two inputs arein phase when they arrive at the respective optical interfaces of oneway mirror OM10 and one way mirror OM12. S₁ is transmitted by one waymirror OM10 and reflected by mirror M80. The position of mirror M80 iscontrolled by piezoelectric crystal P10. S₃ is reflected from mirror M80and is incident on the reflecting side of one way mirror OM10. S₄ isreflected by one way mirror OM10. S₄ is incident on the reflectingsurface or reflecting side of one way mirror OM12 and combined at thisoptical interface with S₂ which is transmitted by one way mirror OM12.The two signals combine with a phase difference of 90 degrees(OR-function) or with a phase difference of 180 degrees (XOR-function)resulting in signal S₅. This phase difference is introduced by mirrorMS0, the movement of which is controlled by piezoelectric crystal P10,which will be connected to a suitable control signal source (CSS). Othermechanical or electro-mechanical devices may be employed to move mirror(i.e. reflecting surface) M80 to introduce the desired phase difference,which must be achieved through empirical testing for a givenenvironment. If S₄ and S₂ combine at 90 degrees phase difference, theamplitude of output signal S₅ is the average of the input amplitudes.Assume that the amplitudes of S₁ and S₂ are equal. This results in thelogical OR function as tabulated below.

    ______________________________________                                        S.sub.1          S.sub.2                                                                             S.sub.5                                                ______________________________________                                        0                0     0                                                      1                0     1                                                      0                1     1                                                      1                1     1                                                      ______________________________________                                    

If S₄ and S₂ combine at 180 degrees out of phase the following result isgiven.

    ______________________________________                                        S.sub.1          S.sub.2                                                                             S.sub.5                                                ______________________________________                                        0                0     0                                                      1                0     1                                                      0                1     1                                                      1                1     0                                                      ______________________________________                                    

This is the XOR logic function. Thus, the logic gate can be programmedor controlled to perform either the OR function or the XOR function bycontrolling the phase difference introduced by reflecting surface ormirror M80.

In a general sense, the interferometric circuit of FIG. 19 is a bistableor bistate device functioning like the optical memory cell describedpreviously herein. With reference to FIG. 19, signal S₂ is the referencesignal of the bistable device. Signal S₁ will function as the comparatoror detector signal. For example, if the circuit of FIG. 19 is programmed(i.e. controlled by movement of MS0) for the XOR function, a "zero"amplitude comparator signal S₁ will "read" or detect (at output signalS₅) the true state of reference signal S₂. Conversely, a "one" amplitudecomparator signal S₁ will change (reverse) the detected state ofreference signal S₂.

Referring now to FIG. 20, to provide a negating signal (or NOT function)to create either the NOR logic function or the XNOR logic function abeamsplitter S90 and an independent, constant signal input N₁ are addedto the assembly shown in FIG. 19. N₁ has the same amplitude andfrequency as both of the inputs S₁ and S₂. N₁ is 180 degrees out ofphase with S₅ at the optical interface of beamsplitter B₁. Opticalsensor OS10 detects the presence or absence of function signal S₅. Theinterference of S₅ with N₁ creates the NOR signal as tabulated below.

    ______________________________________                                        S.sub.1    S.sub.2                                                                             S.sub.5      N.sub.1                                                                           S.sub.6                                     ______________________________________                                        0          0     0            1   1                                           1          0     1            1   0                                           0          1     1            1   0                                           1          1     1            1   0                                           ______________________________________                                    

The same device programmed for the XOR function produces the XNORfunction shown in the table below.

    ______________________________________                                        S.sub.1    S.sub.2                                                                             S.sub.5      N.sub.1                                                                           S.sub.6                                     ______________________________________                                        0          0     0            1   1                                           1          0     1            1   0                                           0          1     1            1   0                                           1          1     0            1   1                                           ______________________________________                                    

These logic functions suggest that there is a simplified design whichwill satisfy the requirements of a programmable logic gate for all sixbasic logic functions: AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, XNOR.

Although the system has been illustrated as a digital device, i.e., inproviding a pulsed output, it could likewise be constructed using analogcircuit principles in modulating, something short of an on/offcondition, an optical signal without the confines of solid statematerials as heretofore used in the art. Further, the electro-mechanicalcontrol for fine tuning of the reflected mirror surfaces could be a partof a microprocess or a computer-controlled feedback system to provideautomatic fine tuning adjustment of the mirrored surface positions.

I claim:
 1. An interferometric modulator for producing a square waveelectromagnetic signal (So) through modulation of a sinusoidalelectromagnetic carrier signal (Si) comprising;means for providing afirst sinusoidal electromagnetic carrier input signal (Si); combiningmeans (OM3), optically coupled to said input signal providing means(Si), for combining said input signal with a divided amplified delayedsignal (L78) to produce a combined signal (L70); delay means (M54,M56),optically coupled to said combining means (OM3), for delaying saidcombined signal (L70) to provide a delayed combined signal; amplifyingmeans (124), optically coupled to said delay means (M54,M56), forproducing an amplified delayed signal (L72); dividing means (S78),optically coupled to said amplifying means, for dividing said amplifieddelayed signal (L72) into an output signal (L76) representing saidsquare wave electromagnetic signal (So), and into a divided amplifieddelayed signal (L78) having, during first periods T, an amplitude equalto said input signal (Si) but delayed 180 degrees out of phase with saidinput signal (Si), and during alternate periods T, a zero amplitude;said dividing means (S78) being optically coupled to said combiningmeans (OM3) whereby said divided amplified delayed signal (L78) combinesby destructive interference with said input signal (Si) to produce,during said first periods T, a zero amplitude combined signal (L70), andduring said alternate periods T, a combined signal (L70) having anamplitude equal to said input signal (Si).
 2. An interferometricmodulator as in claim 1 wherein said dividing means includes a firstbeamsplitter (S78) to provide an output signal representing said squarewave electromagnetic signal.
 3. An interferometric modulator as in claim1 wherein said combining means for combining said input signal and saiddivided amplified delayed signal includes a first one-way mirror.
 4. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 1 wherein said amplifying meansfor producing an amplified delayed signal includes means (LS) forproviding a second sinusoidal electromagnetic carrier input signal (Sj).5. An interferometric modulator as in claim 4 wherein said means forproviding a second sinusoidal electromagnetic carrier input signal isindependent of said means for providing a first sinusoidalelectromagnetic carrier input signal.
 6. An interferometric modulator asin claim 4 wherein said means for providing a second sinusoidalelectromagnetic carrier input signal includes means for dividing off aportion of said first sinusoidal electromagnetic carrier input signal.7. An interferometric modulator as in claim 4 wherein said amplifyingmeans for producing an amplified delayed signal includes an opticallysensitive piezoelectric crystal.
 8. An interferometric modulator as inclaim 7 including a mirror attached to said crystal and wherein saidcrystal is responsive to said delayed combined signal for moving saidmirror.
 9. An interferometric modulator as in claim 8 wherein saidamplifying means includes a second beamsplitter (S76) for receiving saidsecond sinusoidal electromagnetic carrier input signal (Sj) and whereinmovement of said mirror in response to a delayed combined signal of zeroamplitude causes said second input signal (Sj) to combine destructivelyat said second beamsplitter (S76) to produce an amplified delayed signal(L72) of zero amplitude.
 10. An interferometric modulator as in claim 8wherein said amplifying means includes a second beamsplitter (S76) forreceiving said second sinusoidal electromagnetic carrier input signal(Sj) and wherein said second input signal (Sj) has a greater amplitudethan said first input signal (Si) and wherein movement of said mirror inresponse to a delayed combined signal of non-zero amplitude causes saidsecond input signal (Sj) to combine with itself constructively at saidsecond beamsplitter (S76) to produce an amplified delayed signal (L72)having an amplitude greater than said first input signal (Si).
 11. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 10 wherein said amplified delayedsignal is approximately twice the amplitude of said first input signal.12. An interferometric modulator as in claim 11 wherein said firstbeamsplitter (S78) of said dividing means divides said amplified delayedsignal into an output signal representing said square waveelectromagnetic signal (So) and a divided amplified delayed signal thatis approximately the same amplitude as said first input signal (Si). 13.An interferometric modulator as in claim 12 including an amplituderegulating means (120) optically coupled to said first beamsplitter(S78) for regulating the amplitude of said divided amplified delayedsignal.
 14. An interferometric modulator as in claim 13 wherein saidamplitude regulating means (120) includes a third beamsplitter (S80) forsplitting said divided amplified delayed signal into a transmittedportion and a reflected portion and two mirrors (M104,M106) forreflecting back to said third beamsplitter said transmitted andreflected portions for recombination at said third beamsplitter.
 15. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 14 including means (P3,P4) forcontrolling the positions of said two mirrors for regulating a finalamplitude of said divided amplified delayed signal.
 16. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 15 wherein said means forcontrolling includes at least one piezoelectric crystal.
 17. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 1 wherein said delay means fordelaying said combined signal (L70) includes means (M54,M56) forreflecting said combined signal along a combined signal optical delaypath.
 18. An interferometric modulator as in claim 17 including means(P1) for moving said reflecting means to adjust the frequency of saidsquare wave electromagnetic signal (So).
 19. An interferometricmodulator as in claim 18 wherein said moving means includes apiezoelectric crystal.
 20. An interferometric modulator as in claim 19wherein said reflecting means includes two mirrors mounted on a movablestructure.
 21. An interferometric modulator for producing a square waveelectromagnetic signal (So) through modulation of a sinusoidalelectromagnetic carrier signal (Si) comprising:means for providing asinusoidal electromagnetic carrier input signal (Si); first dividingmeans (S70), optically coupled to said input signal providing means(Si), for dividing said input signal into first (L51) and second (L52)signal portions for travel along first and second independent lightpaths, respectively; said first light path including a first delay means(CM2), optically coupled to said first dividing means for delaying saidfirst signal portion to produce a delayed first signal portion (L58);said second light path including a second dividing means (S72) forfurther dividing said second signal portion into a divided second signalportion (L54), and a second delay means (CM1), optically coupled to saidsecond dividing means, for delaying said divided second signal portion,and an amplifying means (A1), optically coupled to said second delaymeans, for producing an amplified delayed divided second signal portion(L57); a third dividing means (S74), optically coupled to said firstdividing means (S70), for dividing said first signal portion (L51) intoa third signal portion (L64) for travel along a third independent lightpath; first means (OM2) for combining said delayed first signal portion(L58) and said amplified delayed divided second signal portion (L57)from said first and second light paths to interfere constructively for atime period T/2 and then alternately destructively for a time period T/2to produce an alternating phase signal (L56); second means (OM1) forcombining said alternating phase signal (L56) with said third signalportion (L64) from said third light path to produce said square waveelectromagnetic signal (So) having a cycle time T.
 22. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 21 wherein said first delay meansfor delaying said first signal portion includes a compound mirror. 23.An interferometric modulator as in claim 22 wherein said second delaymeans for delaying said divided second signal portion includes acompound mirror.
 24. An interferometric modulator as in claim 22 whereinsaid second delay means for delaying said divided second signal portionincludes two mirrors.
 25. An interferometric modulator as in claim 21wherein said first dividing means includes at least one beamsplitter.26. An interferometric modulator as in claim 21 wherein said first meansfor combining includes a one-way mirror.
 27. An interferometricmodulator for regulating the amplitude of a sinusoidal electromagneticsignal to a reduced value comprising:a beamsplitter for splitting saidelectromagnetic signal into a transmitted portion and a reflectedportion; a first reflecting means for reflecting back to saidbeamsplitter said transmitted portion; a second reflecting means forreflecting back to said beamsplitter said reflected portion; andincluding means for moving said first reflecting means relative to saidbeamsplitter to introduce an optical impedance to produce a reducedamplitude regulated electromagnetic signal when said transmitted portionand reflected portion are recombined at said beamsplitter.
 28. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 27 wherein said means for movingincludes a piezoelectric crystal.
 29. An interferometric modulator as inclaim 27 further including means for moving said second reflecting meansrelative to said beamsplitter.
 30. An interferometric modulator as inclaim 27 wherein said first and second reflecting means each include amirror.
 31. An interferometric modulator for amplifying anelectromagnetic signal (Si) comprising:means for providing a firstelectromagnetic input signal (Si); an optically sensitive piezoelectriccrystal (OP1) optically coupled to said input signal providing means(Si) and a mirror (M100) attached to said crystal, said crystal beingresponsive to said first input signal for moving said mirror inproportion to the amplitude of said first input signal (Si); means forproviding a second electromagnetic input signal (Sj) having an amplitudegreater than said first input signal; a beamsplitter (S76) for receivingsaid greater amplitude second input signal; and wherein said mirror isoptically aligned with said beamsplitter such that when said first inputsignal has a zero amplitude said mirror is positioned to cause saidsecond input signal to combine with itself destructively at saidbeamsplitter (S76) to produce a zero output, and when said first inputsignal has a non-zero amplitude, said mirror is moved to cause saidsecond input signal to combine with itself constructively at saidbeamsplitter (S76) to produce an output signal having a greateramplitude than said first input signal.
 32. An interferometric modulatoras in claim 31 further comprising a second mirror optically aligned withsaid beamsplitter.
 33. An interferometric modulator as in claim 32further comprising a second piezoelectric attached to said second mirrorto enable calibration of said output signal.
 34. An interferometricmodulator for amplifying an electromagnetic signal (Si) comprising:meansfor providing a first electromagnetic input signal (Si); an opticallysensitive piezoelectric crystal (OP1) optically coupled to said inputsignal providing means (Si) and a mirror (M100) attached to saidcrystal, said crystal being responsive to said first input signal formoving said mirror in proportion to the amplitude of said first inputsignal (Si); means for providing a second electromagnetic input signal(Sj) having an amplitude greater than said first input signal; abeamsplitter (S76) for receiving said greater amplitude second inputsignal; and wherein said mirror is optically aligned with saidbeamsplitter such that when said first input signal has a zero amplitudesaid mirror is positioned to cause said second input signal to combinewith itself constructively at said beamsplitter (S76) to produce amaximum magnitude output signal, and when said first input signal has anon-zero amplitude, said mirror is moved to cause said second inputsignal to combine with itself destructively at said beamsplitter (S76)to produce a proportionally lower amplitude output signal, and when saidfirst input signal has a maximum amplitude, a zero output is produced.35. An interferometric modulator for performing a logic function fromone of the group including logical OR, AND, NAND, NOR, XNOR and XOR onan electromagnetic reference signal comprising:means for receiving anelectromagnetic reference signal; means for receiving an electromagneticcomparator signal; a control signal source for modulating saidelectromagnetic comparator signal to be out of phase with said referencesignal in accordance with a selected logic function, said means formodulating including a reflecting means; means for combining saidmodulated comparator signal with said reference signal to produce alogic function signal having one of two states.
 36. An interferometricmodulator as in claim 35 wherein said modulating means modulates saidcomparator signal to be out of phase by 90 degrees with said referencesignal to produce a function signal that is a logical OR of saidcomparator signal and said reference signal.
 37. An interferometricmodulator as in claim 35 wherein said modulating means modulates saidcomparator signal to be out of phase by 180 degrees with said referencesignal to produce a function signal that is a logical XOR of saidcomparator signal and said reference signal.
 38. An interferometricmodulator as in claim 35 wherein said reflecting means comprises amirror.
 39. An interferometric modulator as in claim 35 wherein saidmodulating means includes a piezoelectric crystal.
 40. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 35 wherein said means forreceiving said comparator signal includes a one-way mirror.
 41. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 35 wherein said means forreceiving said reference signal includes a first one-way mirror and saidmeans for combining includes said first one-way mirror.
 42. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 36 further comprising a negatingmeans for receiving said OR function signal and for producing aresultant function signal that is a logical NOR of said comparatorsignal and said reference signal.
 43. An interferometric modulator as inclaim 42 wherein said negating means includes a beamsplitting means forreceiving and combining said OR function signal with a negating signalthat is 180 degrees out of phase with said OR function signal.
 44. Aninterferometric modulator as in claim 37 further comprising a negatingmeans for receiving said XOR function signal and for producing aresultant function signal that is a logical XNOR of said comparatorsignal and said reference signal.
 45. An interferometric modulator as inclaim 44 wherein said negating means includes a beamsplitting means forreceiving and combining said XOR function signal with a negating signalthat is 180 degrees out of phase with said XOR function signal.